Quarter Volley

It was palpable. To the left and right I could hear it and feel it. Anyone who cared about DC United in any form reacted the same way when Danny Dichio scored his second goal of the match to quickly counter Gonzalo Peralta’s first MLS goal and give Toronto FC back the lead at 2-1. Heads were in hands. Eyes were covered. “Oh no. Not again” was the sentiment. But something funny happened on the way to Tom Soehn’s firing. DC United showed guts. They showed balls. They fought back.

I don’t know what happened in the locker room at halftime. I don’t know what Tom Soehn said, what the players said, or whether chairs were thrown and tables were turned over. I don’t care, to be honest. All that matters is that DC United fell behind twice and came back each time to tie the contest before scoring a third goal to take the lead and hold on for all three points. It was a glimmer of hope among the many dark nights thus far this season, but it was just that… a glimmer.

I don’t want to be the proverbial turd in the punch bowl, but a reality check is necessary for anyone who might think that this fixes all our ills. First of all, we needed to come from behind to beat a team that we beat 4-1 the first time around at home. Zach Wells stopped exactly one of the three shots on goal he faced all night. And then there’s the little fact that all three of our wins this season have come at home against Toronto FC and Real Salt Lake, who have as many MLS playoff appearances between them as my coed rec team does.

There’s a long way to go for this team in a few ways: up the league table, and until the end of the season to name two. But if this team doesn’t build upon this win and get at least four points from their next three matches (@NE, Hou, @Chi), it will be a short time until we’re looking for a new coach.